Heat Network Regulations Could Affect Landlords

Although it was not immediately clear, it appears that the Heat Network Regulations 2014 could affect private landlords with houses in multiple occupation or bedsit properties. Those affected will be required to notify the National Measurement and Regulation Office (NMRO) regarding their property heating systems by 31 December 2015.

The Regulations are very broad, potentially affecting all buildings that are connected to a District Heat Network (DHN) or have more than one occupier served by a central boiler (or chiller).

The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) had hoped the regulations would only apply to institutional landlords, but this does not appear to be the case. If required, individual meters would need to be installed by 16 April 2016.

This will only apply to a landlord if a landlord qualifies as a “heat supplier,” which they are if they meet the following criteria:

• There is distribution of thermal energy in the form of steam, hot water, or chilled liquids from a central source in a building (such as a gas boiler).
• The thermal energy is used to provide heating, hot water or cooling.
• The building is occupied by more than one tenant.
• The landlord bills more than one tenant for the heat or hot water that that person has used (or a proportion of).

The NMRO has produced a notification template to make the process easier.

The RLA is currently working the DCLG and DECC to clarify exactly how these new regulations will affect landlords, and to see if their broad scope can be limited.

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